Do Your Friends Think You're Odd (about Disney)

[iankh]

Just wondering if anyone else's friend think that your travelling down to Disney is strange.

Our friends think it's strange that we go down at least once a year, not to mention the DVC ownership. For some reason people just don't expect that we would like WDW so much.

[vascubaguy]

Hrmmm..... I don't think our friends think I'm strange (nor our family), they just think that we should take them with us. :goodvibes

I do have 1 cousin who doesn't like it, but that's only because she thinks I should be coming to Orlando and staying at her place instead. :rotfl2: Just isn't the same...

[Viki]

Yes, very, very strange. Some of our dearest friends hail from very liberal circles and for some unknown reason those circles seem to find Disney distasteful. In fact, the truth is I can't think of a single person from that realm who gets it. They are all very polite about our "queerness" on this issue, but I can see their little eyebrows arching all the same! :rotfl2:

On the other hand, both of our families think we're odd because YES they do get to come with us a lot, and they have great times, but they seem to think once every five years or so is more than enough. Can you imagine?

In fact, now that you ask, the only people who seem to really share our excitement are my parishioners. THEY get it - always having a twinkle, rather than a giggle, in their eyes when they ask, "When's the next trip?"

[iankh]

Yes, very, very strange. Some of our dearest friends hail from very liberal circles and for some unknown reason those circles seem to find Disney distasteful. In fact, the truth is I can't think of a single person from that realm who gets it. They are all very polite about our "queerness" on this issue, but I can see their little eyebrows arching all the same! :rotfl2:

You are so right about that. I really do think that some of the people I know think it's a bit distasteful. I'm on the board of my synagogue and they are all very cool about my being gay and sort of bend over backwards, but the whole Disney thing does seem to take them aback a little.

For a funraising auction I donated two items an escorted gay bar crawl and 3 nights in an OKW studio. It was the OKW studio that raised eyebrows! :rotfl2:

[Tony-NJ]

some friends do, but most just go with the flow when around me... We take my Partner's mother a lot of the time - so the family understands.

[vegasnw]

Both familys and friends have thought that from time to time but after a while I get sick of hearing it and I fight back...LOL and that stops it for about 2 years and it starts all over again.

My partner's sister and son never understood why we loved WDW so much so we took them down with us one year and since, well lets just say they are trying to get another invite.

[LJC1861]

Most of my friends just don't get it either. When I tell someone I am going to WDW I tend to hear " AGAIN???? Didn't you just go a few months ago? What can you possibly do that you haven't already done before? " One couple refuses to go because WDW is just for kids. When I try to explain all of the things that are better done with only adults, I get strange looks. I think that we have one couple convinced to try a trip with us and are thinking about going during Food and Wine. We'll see if it actually happens.

Linda

[WebmasterPete]

I've had a few friends that look at me weird, but it was much worse before moving to Florida. At least here, there are plenty of other Disney nuts who live in the shadow of the mouse that it's not so odd. When I was in New Jersey, my friends thought I was certifiable! I get more odd looks now on my video game hobby (been playing and collecting systems for years).

Pete

[RickinNYC]

I do get a lot of "but why" from friends given that we go to WDW quite a bit, so you're in good company. But, like Pete, I get a ton more strange looks due to my absolute love (ok, an addiction) to 80's gorey movies and slasher flicks. Lots of people say, "how does that mesh with your thing about Disney?"

:teeth:

[M4travels]

Marc and I are at the park at least twice a month. Do people think we're strange? Oh, yeah. Do I care? Not in the least!

We've made great friends with some of the castmembers. We'll go down for dinner on a Friday night and stay in the local area for the night as driving back home after an evening of dinner and drinks can get a bit crazed. We make sure the dogs are taken care of for the evening and we're usually home by 9:00 the following morning.

When folks ask why go down for dinner and what makes it so special, I take the time to explain what it means to me. I never say exactly where in the park we go for dinner unless they press and then I'll tell them it's Club 33 at D'land or The Vineyard Room at DCA. At that point I don't mind dropping that tidbit. It is beyond special and we've made it our escape. No, we're not members of Club 33, but we've got a friend who is and they are extremely generous in letting us take part in it. This is OUR time and I don't give a whip what anyone thinks. Hey, if they don't want to go to the park, that's one less person in front of me at any ride!

Be well, everyone, and have a great week.
Michael

[micknpluto]

Of course.. I get people all of the time ask the question.. "why do you go to the same place all of the time???" "Dont you get bored?"

I would be bored anywhere else...I dont care what they say..

I'm glad Im in good company here :)

[barrie]

I actually think it's harder for me to come out as a Disney fan to my friends than it is to come out as a lesbian!

I must admit though, I am surprised at the responses more and more often. Recently one of my more radical looking (big butch with a beard, tatoos and piercings) and politically minded friends told me that she LOVES Disney. I never would have guessed it in a million years.

A couple of friends went with us in November and say they are now considering buying into DVC. It's so surprising to me that I have a hard time believing them. I had to keep asking them, "Are you REALLY having a good time?" while we were there.

The majority of lesbians I know think it's pretty weird though. And I almost NEVER tell anyone that I'm on the DISboards - that just puts me way over the top of weirdness. Barrie

[iankh]

Friends definitely think it's weird that we go down there and own at DVC, but what I always find particularly amusing with people who don't know me (not gay friends) who say, "Why do you go there so much if you don't have kids?"

[TinkerChelle]

We get the usual response...."You're going there again?" It is almost embarrassing sometimes.... :tongue: I mean, we went 3 times in 2004, but then we took a whole year off!

We do try to vacation other places. We have looked into Olivia cruises, Europe and Bahamas, etc. But, when it comes down to it, we just can't imagine NOT going to WDW. :confused3

IANKH: Just wanted to give you a HELLO! My partner and I are in the process of converting to Judaism....you mentioned you are on the board at synagogue. We are going to Congregation Etz Chaim in Lombard, Illinois. Small World! :teeth:

[TinkerChelle]

When some of our friends found out that I post on the disboads.....they thought I had officially lost "it", but then they found out my screen name was TinkerChelle and I believe they are trying to have me admitted to a mental health facility. :eek:

[StormTigger]

My friends just think I'm odd anyway, but I worked for at one of the local Disney stores for 7 yrs so they pretty much gave up on me then (esp after they see my apt.).

My friends/co-workers/family are more suprised that I don't have a Disney trip planned at this moment then anything else. I am of course, working on correcting that as I type. :cool2:

[ChrizJen]

We're HUGE fans of DCL. (We've never actually been to the parks together...I've been to WDW once, and Jen's never been.) We've only been on 2 DCL cruises, one 4-night family cruise with my brother and his wife and kids, and then one "family" cruise with our friends and their son. Before we talked our friends into going with us on the second cruise, we would tell them about our first cruise with such excitement and enthusiasm. They would just look at us like we were crazy, then exchange glances with each other as if saying, "Oh, our poor friends have lost it!" I think they were ready to do an official intervention, when we finally talked them into going. Now they're as hooked as we were!! They're ready to go back! I think in most cases, once people experience the magic themselves, they realize that it's not so crazy after all! Until then, let them give me funny looks! They just don't know what they're missing!
-Christal

[Elevationist]

Oh, what a brilliant thread!

Yes, I go through the very same thing. Most of my friends and all of my family think that I'm completely ridiculous for my love of WDW... My friends always want to know why we're going back again and why we aren't going anywhere else, and my family (who aren't big vacationers and never have been) tell me that I'm wasting my money.

When we called my partner's parents to let them know we would be down that way a swinging in for a visit (they live in Daytona), the first words out of his mouth were, "Disney World? Didn't you guys already go there? So why are you going again?" LOL

We just laugh at them, though... It makes us sorta feel like we have a little secret, knowing the Magic the way we do... Oh, if they only KNEW how wonderful WDW is! :earsgirl:

[pamdaniels]

I went with my girlfriend of 15 yrs. and our daughter for the first time last year. I was totally hooked, so is our daughter. My GF doesn't get it. We are going back next year. If I have my way (and most of the time I do princess: ) we will only be going to WDW on every vacation from now on. I have been bitten by a mouse and none of my friends get it. They say I should go on an adult trip. I don't want to, I love that when I am in WDW, I can be 6 or 10 or any age that I want. I want to keep that feeling all the time. Anyone that has not experienced the Magic will not understand our obsession. My name is Pam and I am a Disney Addict and this board is my enabler :lmao:

[PHILCT]

Hi Everyone

I thought I was a Disney Nut for going every year, at least twice, sometimes four times for long weekends.
Once you buy an annual pass, you do try to squeeze all you can out of it.

I'm constantly watching Airline specials from the North East, Amazed when the prices go down to giveaway prices on the Non Stops. I make formal announcements at work when I find a rare $120 or less roundtrip flight.

Searching MOUSESAVERS every other day for the lowest priced Car Rentals.

Discussing Dining Possibilities with friends 7 months in advance.

Searching Disney Online, for the best sales, and coupon code discounts.

Going to the Disney Store and walking out with bags of Seasonal Merchandise at 80 percent off, and needing help to get to the car.

However I have seen other friends and family who are just as addicted.

Fellow CoWorkers with Cubicles at work covered with every inch DISNEY.

Relatives who can't get enough of Disney MGM Star Wars every year, I don't get that one ! There is just one ride at Disney MGM that is Star Wars ?

Friends who are travel agents and get Disney annual reservations for the 50 percent discount on rooms and other special perks. They go as often as they can legally take advantage of that perk.

Cast Member Friends who houses are decorated head to toe with Disney Furnishings. Their lucky, they can get major discounts beyond us !

Just one of the many Disney Nuts here !

Don't tell Chip or Dale.


Phil

[mickeysaver]

I work in a pediatric medical office. Everyone knows that I know all about WDW and than I willing to help anyone that is willing to listen plan a Disney vacation. Most of my patients ask when I am going or how my last trip turned out. It's my coworkers that roll their eyes. They all think that I am nuts because I only want to vacation with Disney. They are always telling me that there is more to the world than Disney World. I know that they are right, but I love letting my inner child roam free. I love seeing Gabby's inner child come out to play too. I will never forget seeing her running up the to Pooh at MGM a few years back so that she could hug the stuffin' outta him. Now, this is an adult woman that was almost 30 and is totally mental stable, but she saw Pooh and freakin' ran up to him like she was 3. I love that!!!

So, when my coworkers ride me about my Disney addiction, I just recall a great Disney memory and brush it off. We have lots of great Disney memories. I can't wait to go back again. We don't have any trips planned currently, but I know that we will make it back again sometime in the next couple of years. I know this because Gabby promised to take me to Disney for my 40th birthday. :teeth: Maggie

[iankh]

People do tell me that there's more to the world than Disney, I know that. I've seen it. No one I personally know has seen as much of the world and as intimately.

I have travelled extensively in the US. I lived in Europe for 4 years and travelled around Europe. I had a job that took me monthly (one summer nearly weekly) to Asia. I have also worked in Mexico and visited parts of South America.

I now find myself mainly doing Disney. Why? Partly it's the schlepp factor. I don't feel like I've spent a lot of time schelpping to get there and schlepping to get home. Once you arrive at WDW that's it. Everything is done. You only have to show up for a bus, it arrives, takes you where you want to go and it departs.

WDW is also one of the few places I cant totally relax and not worry about anything. I think it's because there is so much stimulation that the rest of the world melts away.

So combine totally escape with ease and a low schlepp factor and that's sums up to a winning combination for me.